A NJ state judge ruled that the state must permit gay marriage, or else couples in civil unions would be denied federal benefits.
The NY Times reports, "Judge Mary C. Jacobson of State Superior Court ruled that the State Constitution must allow marriage in light of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in June striking down the Defense of Marriage Act... It is the first time a court has struck down a state ban on same-sex marriage as a direct result of the Supreme Court’s ruling."
Jacobson wrote, "The ineligibility of same-sex couples for federal benefits is currently harming same-sex couples in New jersey in a wide range of contexts." Such as: "civil union partners who are federal employees living in New Jersey are ineligible for marital rights with regard to the federal pension system, all civil union partners who are employees working for businesses to which the Family and Medical Leave Act applies may not rely on its statutory protections for spouses, and civil union couples may not access the federal tax benefits that married couples enjoy."
Previously, Governor Chris Christie vetoed gay marriage in NJ, saying it was a federal issue. After the Supreme Court's ruling, he banned gay conversion therapy, noting that he believes people are born gay.
